hartzell



4 Sheets-Sheet l iIllIllIII/A 9 Ileana/v L. h'mruu.

p 20, 1932- H. L. HARTZXELL 1,877,860

IGNITION DEVICE- Original Filed May 23. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 i/mmuv L. h'nn 'rzlu.

Spt. 20, 1932. H. L. HARTZELL 1,877,850

IGNITION DEVICE Original Filed ma 'zs. 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l/mmw L. Huruu.

ept. 20, 1932- H. L. HARTZELL 1,877,860

IGNITION DEVICE Origitial Filed May 23. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 l/mam) t. hm vruu.

Patented Sept. 20, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERMAN L. HARTZELL, OF ANDERSON, INDIANA, ASSIGNOB '1'0 DELCO-BEMY CORPORA- TION, OF ANDERSON, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE IGNITION DEVICE Original application filed ma as, 1930,

This invention relates to improvements in ignition devices for multi-cylinder internal combustion engines.

It is among the objects of the present invertion to provide an ignition device for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine capable of providing sparking impulses to two spark plugs in each cylindersubstantially simultaneously and at comparatively 10. high engine speeds.

plural sparking impulses for each engine cylinder in a system characterized by my copending application Serial No. 455,083, filed Ma 1930, of which this is a division.

A still further object of the inventionis to, provide a compact ignition device for providing plural sparking impulses, substanti ally simultaneously, in each cylinder of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine at the proper time and recurrent sequence.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of one form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the ignition device with the distributor cap removed tov expose the interrupter mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectionalview of the ignition device taken substantially alongthe line 22 of the Fig. 1. I

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1 and illustrates the structure of the stationary contact member of a circuit interrupter.

Fig. 45 is a fragmentary side view of the ignition device, broken away to show the Serial No. 455,088. Divided and this application fled October 28, 1981. Serial No. 571,523.

circuit interrupter mechanism in side elevation.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, detail plan view of a circuit interrupter. h

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail view taken substantially along the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the base and certain of the plates supported thereon.

Fig. 9 is a detail side elevation on an enlarged scale, of the stationary contact member of a circuit interrupter.

Fig. .10 is a view of Fig. 9 in the direction of the arrow 10.

Figs. 11 and 12 are fiat and sectional views respectively of a spring Washer which forms apart of the stationary contact member.

Figs. 13 and 14 are views of the contact lever. Fig. 15is a section taken along line 1515 of Fig. 13. i

Fig. 16 is a section taken along line 16-16 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 17is a diagrammatic view showing the circuit connectlonsbetween various elements of-the device.

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic view illustratingthe comparative time of the cycles of operation of the two circuit interrupters.

Referring to the drawings, the ignition device'is shown comprising a housing 20, provided with a shank portion 21 by which the ignition device is attached to the engine, not shown. The shank portion 21 provides a bearing in which is journalled the drive shaft 22., The drive shaft 22 has a a disc23 provided thereon within the casing, said disc supporting the centrifugal spark adjusting means 24. A shaft 251s supported by the drive shaft 22 so as to be rotatable relative thereto, said shaft 25 being connected with said drive shaft 22 through the centrifugal adjusting means 24. Shaft 25 provides the cam 26 which, in this instance, has four lobes. The portion of the shaft 25 designated by the numeral 27 which extends above the cam 26, supports the rotor 28, said rotor being made of insulating material. Rotor 28 has oppositely disposed conducting plates 29 and 30. Conducting plate 29 is in electrical engagement with the sleeve 31 carried'by the rotor sald sleeve having a plunger 32 provided therein which is urged outwardly by a spring 33. The housing has a cap 35 of any suitable insulating material, which is secured to the housing by clamping hooks 36 hingedly attached to the housing. Cover cap 35, which may be termed the distributor cap, is provided with a plurality of terminals. One of these terminals is designated by the numeral 37, this terminal being centrally arranged on the distributor cap. Terminal 37 is recessed at each end, the inner recess containing a spring pressed plunger-38 which is yieldably urged into electrical engagement with the conductor 30 supported by the rotor. The recess 39 in the outer end of the terminal 37 receives a conductor wire leading from the secondary winding of an ignition coil. -A sleeve-like extension 40 on the distributor cap properly insulates the terminal 39 from the adjacent high tension terminal 41 which has an exposed end within the distributor cap, said exposed end being in electrical engagement with the circular track '42" supported within the distributor cap. The circular track 42 is yieldingly engaged by the spring-pressed plunger.32 carried by the rotor 28 and in electrical engagement with the conductor 29. A. recess 42a in the terminal 41 receives the conductor wire leading from the secondary winding of another ignition coil. Like terminal 37, this terminal 41 is surrounded by a sleeve-like extension 43 provided by the distributor cap. As shown in the Fig. 17, the distributor cap has a plurality of terminals 45 arranged in a circular row substantially concentric of the springpressed plunger 38 carried by the distributor cap. These terminals are all adapted to be connected with proper spark plugs in the various cylinders of the engine. Terminals 45 each comprise arecessed conducting sleeve 46 having a post ortion 47 extending into the interior of the istributor. cap. These post portions 47 lie in juxtaposition to the circular path in which the conductors 29 and 30 of the rotor travel so that the high tension current, or sparking impulse directed to the conductor 37 is conveyed through plunger 38into conductor 30 and thence to the proper post ortion 47 of the terminal 45, while the spar ing impulse directed into the terminal 41 is conducted through the track 42, springpressed plunger 32, and through conductor 29 to the proper post portion 47 of another terminal 45.

The present ignition device is adapted to provide two sparking impulses for each engine cylinder substantially simultaneously; therefore the rotor 28 is formed as shown in dotted lines in the Fig. 17 whereby conductor 29 delivers a sparking impulse to the temthe free end thereof. This V-sha nal 45 connected with a spark plug of one cylinder,'while the conductor 30 delivers a sparking impulse to another of the terminals 45 which is connected with another spark plug in the same engine cylinder. From this it may be seen that the distributor provided with sixteen terminals designated by the numeral 45, is adapted to furnish double sparking impulses for an 8-cylinder internal combustion engine. I

Within the housing 20 there is provided a base 50 secured to the housing by screws 51. This base has a central opening through which the shaft 25 extends. 1

, Two circuit interrupters are provided in this ignition device. Base 50, as shown in .the Fig. 8, has an angular fulcrum member 52 forminga fulcrum having a knife-shaped edge 53. As shown in the Fig. 6, this knifeshaped ed 53 of the fulcrum is recessed as at 54, provi in two spaced'pivot portions 52a and 52b on t e fulcrum member 52 for purposes to be described.

A plate 55is pivotally secured to the base 50 by a rivet 56. Plate 55 has an elongated slot 57, the longer sides 5700f which are substantially concentric of the rivet 56. This slot 57 receives the shank portion of a screw 58, which shank portion screw-threadedly engages an opening in the base 50. Screw 58 may be operated tightly to clamp the plate 55 to the base 50. Another elongated slot 59 is provided in the plate 55, the

longer sides of this slot being substantially radial of the rivet 56. i This' slot 59 receives the slotted head 60 of'the adjusting member, said slotted head 60 havin an eccentric shank portion 61 rotatably attac ed to the base 50. By loosening screw 58 and operating the slotted head 60, plate 55 may be moved rotatably about its pivot 56 in a direction substantially radial of the central opening in the base 50. Plate 55 has an angular extension 62 to which is secured, by a bolt 63, one end of a spring blade 64. This spring blade as shown in the Fig. 5 is fashioned in the form of a horseshoe and has a V-shaped formation 65 adjacent to, but spaced from,

p d formation 65 comprises two spaced epressions having an intermediate portion in the shape of a hump or bulge, designated by the numeral 66. The two spaced depressions, as shown in the Figs. 5,6 and 7, fit upon the spaced portions 52a and 52b of theknifeedge 53 of the fulcrum member 52, while the hump or bulge 66 extends into the recess 54 in the knife-edge 53 of fulcrum member 52, so that by this construction the spring blade 64 pivotally engages the fulcrum member 52. The bulge or hump 66 of the springblade in entering the recess 54 of the fulcrum, substantially prevents lateral movement of'the spring blade relative to the fulcrum member 52. This construction thus substantially eliminates vacillatory movement of the spring blade relative to its fulcrum. Y

As shown in the Figs. 5, 6 and 7 in particular, the free end of the spring blade 64 beyond the pivotal engagement point, has the breaker lever 70 attached thereto by rivets 71. The breaker lever has a recess receiving the-V-shaped formation 65 on the spring blade so that virtually the lever 70. is pivotally supported by the fulcrum 52, the spring blade64 actually contacting with the fulcrum, because the blade 64 is made of spring steel, more capable of resisting wear than the lever 70, which is preferably made of very light material and not as well adapted to resist the wear. As shown in the Figs. 13 and 14, the lever has a bifurcated end, providing two branches 72 and 73 each of which has a contact member attached there to. These contacts are designated by the numerals 74 and 75 respectively. The lever 70 has a wear-piece 70a secured to it by a rivet 76, said wearpiece being urged into engagement with the cam 26 by the bladespring 64.

Upon the plate 55 there is carried a bracket 80, which is secured to said plate by screws 81. This bracket is clearly illustrated in the Figs. 5, 9 and 10.and is shown as having two-spaced and substantially par-.

allel angular ears 82 and 83 respectively. A pin 84 is supported between the angular ears 82 and 83 of the bracket. This pin is clearly shown in the Fig. 3. A block of insulating material designated by the numeral 85, is pivotally supported between the angular cars 82 and 83 upon the pin 84. This block of insulating material has a recess 86 offset from the channel through said block which receives the pin 84, recess 86 receiving a spring member 87 so shaped that the intermediate portion engages the bottom surface of the recess 86in the block while the ends of said spring engage the pivot pin 84 so that said spring yieldably ressts pivotal movement upon the pin 84, and also takes up any clearance between the pin 84 and the channel in the block 85. Lock carries spaced contacts 88 and 89 respectively. said contacts being adapted to be engaged by the contacts 74 and 75 respectively carried by the lever 70. Contacts 88 and 89 have ends extending from the block 85 which are recessed as'at 90 and 91 respect vely, recess 00 receiving a conductor 92, while recess 91 receives the conductor 93. Conductor 92 leading to the contact member 88, is in electrical connection with a terminal post 94 insulatingly carried by the hous ng 20, while conductor 93 leading from the contact member 89 is electrically connected with the terminal 95 insulatingly supported by the housing 20. Pivotally supporting the contacts 88 and 89 by their block 85 permits automatic alignment of these contacts through engagement by spaced contacts on lever 70 so that the cam operating the lever 70 may substantially, simultaneously move the lever contacts 74 and 7 5 out of engagement with these cooperating contacts 88 and 89 respectively. A spring washer 96 surrounds the pin 84 and is interposed between the block 85 and the angular car 83 of the bracket80 so that endwise movement of the block 85 relative to the pin 84 is substant ally prevented, spring washer 96 also yieldably resisting the rotation of the block 85 upon the pin 84.

The other interrupter of the ignition device differs from the aforedescribed interrupter as follows: v

A fulcrum plate 100 has, as is shown in Fig. 2, a central opening, the edges of the plate at this central opening being flared to provide an annular flange 101 which is adapted to fit into the central opening of the base 50 whereby the fulcrum plate 100 may be moved pivotally about the central opening in the base 50. Plate 100 has two elongated slots 102, the longer sides of which are substantially concentric of the central opening in the plate or of the cam shaft'26. Clamping screws 103 have shank portions extending through these slots 102 and threadedly engaging the base 50. An adjusting member 104eccentrically supported by the base 50 fits into a recess 106 in the plate 100, said member 104 when rotated after screws 103 are released, p'ivotally moving plate 100 about the central annular flange 101 thereon. This adjustment moves the fulcrum 107, which is provided by an angular portion on plate 100, rotatably to vary the angular relation between the two fulcrums 52 and 107. Fulcrum 107 is constructed similar to the fulcrum 52, that is, it has the recess comparing to recess 54 which provides spaced pivoted edges on the fulcrum.

On plate 100 an interrupter plate 110 is adjustably secured. This plate 110 is similar to the plate 55 of the corresponding circuit interrupter and is secured by arivet 111 to the plate 1.00. A clamping screw 112 has its shank extending through an elongated slot 113 in plate 110, substantially concentric of the rivet 111, said clamping screw having its shank portion engaging the plate 100.

An adjusting member 114 corresponding to the adjusting member 60 of the corresponding interrupter fits into the elongated slot 115' in the plate 110 and is secured eccentrically to the plate 100. Operation of the member 114 will move the plate 110 about its pivot 111 substantially radial of the cam shaft 26.

The plate 110 has an angular portion 120 similar to the angular portion 62 of plate 55. One end of blade spring 121 is attached to the angular portion 120, said blade spring 121 having a'formation 122, similar to the formation 65 of the spring 64, whereby spring 121 is pivotally secure to the fulcrum 107. Contact lever 119 is secured to the free end of sprin 121 and the wear-piece 123 of said contact Iever is yieldably urged by sa1d spring into engagement with the cam 26. (Jontact lever 119 carries two contacts 124 and 125 which are adapted to cooperate with contacts 126and 127 respectively supported by an insulating block 128 which is constructed like and mounted on a bracket 129 in a manner similar to the corresponding contacts of the other circuit interrupter. Inasmuch as these structures are exactly alike and have previously been described. in connection with the circuit interrupter including contacts 74-75 and 8889, no further detailed description will be given.

Contact 126 is connected with the housing terminal 94 by the conductor 130, while the other terminal 127 is connected with the housing terminal 95 by the conductor 131.

In the housing two condensers 140 and 141 Y are provided, one side of these condensers being grounded through their respective brackets 142 and 143, the other side of said condensers being connected respectively through wires 144 and 145 with the terminals 94 and 95. 7

Referring particularly to the Figs. 17 and 18, it may be seen that at no time do both of the circuit interrupters complete their circuits. In Fig. 18 the time of circuit closing of both interrupters is clearly shown. The inner circle designates the operation of the circuit interrupter including lever 70. The letter M designates the point in the cycle at which the circuit is made by the interrupter. The letter B designates the time in the cycle at which the circuit is-broken by the interrupter. The extra heavy line indicates the time during which the circuit is closed by this particular interrupter. The lighter line between'B and M indicates the interval at which the circuit is broken. The same indications in the outer circle designate the operation of the circuit interrupter including the lever 125, that is the heavy lines 45 indicate the closing periods, while the spaces between B and M, or the lighter lines, indicate the open period of the circuit. It will be noted in this diagram that at no time are the two circuits simultaneously closed, but

on the contrary theone circuit designated by the inner circle, is closed sometime during the open period of the other circuit designated by the outer circle. v

This ignition device uses two ignition coils, the primary circuit of one being designated by the numeral 150, the other by the numeral 151. The secondary circuits of these two coils are designated by the numerals 152 and 153 respectively. One end of the primary winding 150 is connected with the housing terminal 95, while the other end is connected tery 154. The high tension winding 152 is connected through wire 156 with the high tension terminal 41 of the distributor head, and the high tension winding 153 is connected through wire 157 with the high tension terminal '39 of the distributor head. In the diagram the cam 26 is shown operating the lever at the beginning of its break while it is still maintaining the lever 119 so that its circuit is opened. Continued rotation of the cam 26in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 17 will eventually operate lever 119 so that. its contacts 124 and125 will engage their contacts 126 and 127, this circuit closing by lever 119 occurring while lever 70 is still being maintained in its circuit breaking position. When the contacts 124-126 and 125-127 engage, the battery will discharge through primary winding 15] across contacts 126124 to ground, and also 1 thus both primary windings 150-151 will be energized during this contact engagement. As soon as the cam operates the arm 119 to break engagement of the contacts 124 and 125 with their respective cooperating contacts 126 127, sparking impulses will be provided by both ignition coils substantially simultaneously, the impulse from the secondary winding 152 being delivered to the terminal 41 of the distributor head and from there through the plunger 32 to the conductor 29 of the rotor while the sparking impulse from the high tension winding 153 will be directed through wire 157 to the central high tension terminal 39 of the distributor cap or head and thence through the plunger 38 to the rotor conductor 30. These sparking impulses will then be directed to their proper spark plugs in the one cylinder through the terminals In the present structure applicant has provided an ignition device in which a plurality of ignition coils are simultaneously controlled to produce sparking impulses in one cylinder substantially simultaneously. The

contacts of the interrupter are so arranged that the circuits are divided so that pitting of the contacts due to the breaking of abnormal circuits is substantially eliminated.

The movable arms of the circuit interrupters are made of ubstantially light material and are so supported that vacillatory or wobbly movement thereof is practically eliminated, the construction thereof permitting comparatively high speed operation without the usual fluctuati'on in the movementthereof. By this construction applia preferred form, it is to be understood that v so other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

i 1. An ignition device comprising in combination, a housing; a plate in said housing providing a fulcrum; a spring blade anchored .at one end and having an indenture adjacent its free end, said indenture fitting upon the fulcrum; a contact lever secured to the free end of said spring blade; a rubbing block on said lever; and a cam engaged by said rubbing block, said cam rocking the lever and spring about the fulcrum against the effect of said spring blade.

2. An ignition device comprising, in combination, a housing; a fulcrum plate; a spring blade anchored at one end and having a V- shaped indent adjacent its free end for re ceiving the fulcrum; a lever secured to the free end of the spring blade; contacts on said lever; a bracket carrying contacts adapted to be engaged by the contacts on the lever; a wear piece on the lever; and an engine driven cam for engaging the Wear piece to operate the lever about the fulcrum for moving the lever contacts out of engagement with the bracket contacts.

3. An-ignition device comprising, in combination, a housing; a plate-secured within said housing providing a fulcrum the pivot edge of which is divided by a recess; a spring blade anchored at one end, and adjacent its free end having spaced indents providing a hump therebctwcen, said indents receiving the divided pivot edge of the fulcrum, the hump of the spring blade extending into the recess in the fulcrum so as to prevent relative lateral movement between the spring blade and fulcrum; a lever secured to the free end of the fulcrum said lever carrying contacts; stationary contactsadapted to be engaged by the lever contacts; and a cam for operating said lever.

4. An ignition device comprising, in combination, a-housing; a base supported within said housing and having an angular portion providing a fulcrum; a plate supporting a contact, adjustably carried on the base, said plate having an angular extension; a spring said lever to make and break oontactengagement.

5. An ignition device comprising in combination, a housing; a base supported within said housingand having an angular portion providing a fulcrum; a plate adjustably carried by the base, said plate having an angular extension; a spring blade anchored at one end to the angular extension of the plate, and having a V-shaped bend adjacent its free end which bend fits over the fulcrum; a lever secured to the free end of the spring blade; a wear piece on the lever; spaced contacts carried on the lever; a bracket mounted upon the plate; an insulating block pivotally supported by said bracket; contacts carried by the block so as to be engageable by the contacts on the lever; and a rotatable cam engaging the wear piece to operate the lever to make and break contact engagement.

6. An ignition device comprising in combination, a housing; a base 'supported within said housing and having an angular portion providing a fulcrum; a rotatable cam; a plate; means pivotally securing the plate to the base; an angular extension on the plate; means supported by the base and engaging the plate for pivotally moving said plate toward or away from the cam; means carried by the base and engaging the plate for clamping said plate in adjusted position upon the base; a spring blade secured at one able by the contact lever.

7. An ignition device comprising, in combination, a housing; a base supported within said housing and having an angular portion providing a fulcrum; a plate having an angular extension, secured to the base; a horseshoe shaped spring blade secured at one end to the angular extension of the plate, said spring blade having an indent adjacent its other free end, which indent fits upon the fulcrum; a lever secured to the free end of the spring, said lever having a surface conforming to the shape of the free end of the spring and its indent; a wear-piece on the lever; contacts thereon; contacts insulatingl y supported by the plate and engageable by the contacts on the lever, and a cam engaged by the wear piece of the lever.

8. An ignition device comprising, in combination, a housing; a base supported within said housing and having an angular portion providing a fulcrum; a plate adjustably carried by thebase, said plate having an angular extension; a contact lever; a blade spring secured at one end to the contact lever and at the other end to the angularextension I on the plate, said spring pivotally en aging upon the base, and having an an the fulcrum; coo crating contacts or the contact lever ins atingl supported by the plate; a fulcrum plate adjusta 1y supported upon the base said fulcrum late providing a fulcrum; an-interrupter p ate adjustably carried by the fulcrum plate, said interrupter plate having an angular extension; a second contact lever; a blade spring secured at one end to the said contact lever and at its other end to the angular extension on the interrupter plate, said spring pivotally engaging the fulcrum on the fulcrum plate; cooperating contacts insulatingly carried by the interrupter plate; and acommon cam for o rating both contact levers alternately an in recurrent sequence. 1

9. An ignition device comprising, in combination, a housing; a base supported within said housing; a plate adjustably supported lar member providin a fulcrum; an interrupter .plate adi'usta ly carried by the aforementioned p ate, said interrupterplate having an angular extension; a blade spring secured at one end to said angular extension and having a V-shaped formation adjacent its free end-which fits upon the fulcrum; a lever secured to the free end of the blade spring; contacts carried by said lever; a block of insulating material. supported by the interrupter plate; contacts carried by said block so as to be engaged by the contacts on the lever; and a cam for operating 'the lever to make and break contact engagement.

10. An ignition device comprising, in combination, a housing; a base supported within said housing, and having a central opening; a. drive shaft journalled in said 110118111" and extending through the o enin in the base; a cam on saiddrive sha t; a carried by the base so as to be adjustab e coaxially of the cam, said plate having an angular portion providing a fulcrum; an interrupter plate supported by the fulcrum plate and adjustable thereon substantially radially of the cam; a spring blade fashioned in the form of a horse-shoe, one end being secured to the interrupter plate another portion of sa d spring pivotally engaging the fulcrum; a lever secured to the other, free end of the spring; .a wear piece on the lever, engaging the cam; and contacts on the lever; contacts carried b the interrupter plate so as to'be engaged y the lever contacts.

' 11. An i 'tion device comprising in combination,a%i using; a base supported within said housng; a rotatable cam in said housin two levers pivotally supported within said housing and free ends 0 said levers being bifurcated, providing two arms on each lever, a spring urging each lever into engagement with the cam; acontact carried on each arm of each lever; and a double stationary conulcrum' late tact member for eachlever respectively, said contact member comprising a bracket having spaced, parallel cars, a pin supported between said ears; an insulating block pivotall car'- ried by the pin; a blade spring carried y the block and engaging the pin, yieldably to resist pivotal movement of the lock upon said pin; and two contacts carried by said block so as to be engaged by the two contacts of the res ectivepivoted lever.

12. n ignition device comprising, in combination, a housing; two terminal posts insulatingly supported by said housing; a rotatable cam within said housing;,a base in the housing; two levers pivotallysupported within said housing and yieldably urged into engagement with the cam; two spaced contacts on each lever; stationar contacts for each lever, each comprising a racket pivotally supporting a block of insulating material which supports two contacts, spaced so that the contacts on the respective lever will engage therewith; and conductors electrical- 1;; connecting each terminal post with one of t e stationary contacts of each lever.

13. An ignition device comprising in combination, a housing; a base supported within said housing; a rotatable cam in said housing; two levers pivotally supported within said housing the free ends of said levers being bifurcated, providing two arms on each lever yaspring urging each lever into engagement with the cam; a contact carried on each arm of each lever, the contacts on each lever arranged in a row parallel to the pivot of said levers; a double stationary contact member for each lever res ctively, said contact member comprising a racket having spaced, parallel ears, and a ivot pin at right angles to the ivotof said lever; an insulating block carried by the pivot pin; and a pair of contacts carried by each block and arranged in a row parallel to the lever pivot so as to be engaged by the lever contacts.

14. An 1 ition device comprising in combination, a ousin g an interrupter within the housing,'includin a pivoted lever; two contacts carried by t e lever and arran ed in a row parallel to the pivot of said ever; a bracket; two relatively stationary contacts pivotally supported by said bracket, said racket contacts arranged in a row parallel to the lever contacts and having their pivots about an axis at right angles to the pivot of said lever.

15. In an ignition device, an interrupter comprisin in combination a pivoted breaker lever; a p urality of contacts su ported by the lever in a row parallel to the pivot of said lever; a pluralit of relativel stationary contacts. engagea 1e respective y with the breaker contacts; means pivotally supporting the stationary contacts upon an axis at right angles to the pivot of said lever, both the breaker contacts and the stationary contacts being arranged in rows parallel tothe pivot axis of said lever.

16. In an ignition device, an interrupter comprising in combination a pivoted breaker lever; two contacts carried by said lever and arranged in a row parallel to the axis of the lever; a bracketproviding a pivot on an axis at right angles to the pivot of the lever; a member carried by the pivot; and, two contacts mounted on the member and engageable-respectively with the lever contacts, the axis of rotation of the member being situated between the contacts carried thereby.

17. An ignition device comprising in combination, a' housing; an interrupter within the housing, including a. pivoted breaker lever; contacts mounted on said breaker lever and arranged in a row parallel to the pivot of said lever; a bracket insulatingly supporting stationary contacts; and means pivotally mounting the stationary contacts on the bracket about an axis at right angles to the pivot of said lever, the faces of said contacts coinciding. with the faces of the respective contacts on the breaker lever, and the pivot of said means being between the stationary contacts.

18. An ignition device comprising in combination, a housing; an interrupter within .the housing, including a pivoted breaker lever having a plurality of contacts mounted thereon; a pivoted member; stationary contacts insulatingly supported by said member, said member being pivoted on an axis at right angles to the pivot of said lever, the contacts of the breaker lever coinciding with the stationary contacts, and the two sets of contacts arranged in rows substantially parallel with the pivot of said lever.

19. An ignition device comprising in combination, a housing; an interrupter within the housing, including a pivoted breaker lever having a plurality of contacts mounted thereon, and arranged. in a row parallel to the pivot of said lever; and a bracket ivotally supporting insulated contacts, sai last contacts, being engageable respectively with the breaker lever contacts, and'having a common pivot about an axis intermediate the same and at ght angles to the pivot of said lever.'.

In testimony whereof I hereto afiix my signature HERMAN L. HARTZELL. 

